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US 5,726,046 AGranted
Method of producing sugars using strong acid hydrolysis
AssigneeArkenol, Inc.
InventorsWilliam A. Farone, John E. Cuzens
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Abstract
A economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica and silicates present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization if necessary and a second hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields.
Claims47
A method of producing sugars from materials containing cellulose and hemicellulose, comprising:
- mixing the materials with a solution of about 25-90% acid by weight, thereby at least partially decrystallizing the materials and forming a gel that includes solid material and a liquid portion;
- diluting said gel to an acid concentration of from about 20% to about 30% by weight and heating said gel, thereby at least partially hydrolyzing the cellulose and hemicellulose contained in said materials;
- separating said liquid portion from said solid material, thereby obtaining a first liquid containing sugars and acids;
- and
- separating the sugars from the acids in said first liquid by resin separation to produce a second liquid containing a total of at least about 15% sugar by weight, which is not more than 3% acid by weight.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.